The Las Vegas Raiders hold the top pick on the board in April’s NFL Draft, and many expect they’ll select Indiana’s Heisman-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.
Many consider Mendoza a franchise quarterback and the best available option at No. 1, especially for a Raiders team looking to rebuild and recapture their former success. Mendoza not only claimed the Heisman Trophy but also led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect season, culminating in a CFP National Championship.
However, not everyone shares the opinion that he’s the best option, and some might even doubt he’s the best quarterback available. An anonymous veteran NFL offensive coach studied all the available quarterbacks and expressed doubts about Mendoza before he began his professional career.
“I don’t think he’s surefire at all. I like the Alabama guy [Ty Simpson] better,” an anonymous veteran NFL offensive coach told Mike Sando of The Athletic.
Interestingly, Simpson opted to participate in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he seemed to impress with what he showed. Simpson's NFL.com prospect grade is 6.28, with an indication that he could become an "average starter" in the league, eventually.
On the flip side, Mendoza attended the event but was not a participant, allowing his college highlights and measurements to speak for themselves. His NFL prospect grade is 6.73, and he’s projected as a first-year starter.
It appears Tom Brady, a Raiders minority owner, also likes what he sees in his team’s potential first-overall pick.
During an appearance on "FOX NFL Sunday" in December, he praised Mendoza, saying he loved "everything about his game." Brady also boasted of Mendoza's strong qualities, including taking a team that wasn't known as a winner and leading them into the spotlight to gain national prominence.
Getting that sort of endorsement from a seven-time Super Bowl champion and legendary quarterback is certainly a significant vote of confidence. Along with that, four NFL executives that The Athletic’s Sando spoke with believe Mendoza is the consensus top pick.
However, quarterbacks who go first overall are never a guarantee that a team will win more games, or ultimately, the Super Bowl. Many teams have gambled on highly-touted QBs who may have produced impressive stats and achieved career milestones, but couldn’t quite get them a Lombardi Trophy.
Time will tell if Fernando Mendoza is that sort of quarterback, but most seem to believe he’ll still be the Raiders’ top pick when it’s time to make their first selection in April officially.
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